Heat and cold applicator

ABSTRACT

A heat and cold applicator for supporting and supplying heat, or removing heat from certain portions of the trunk of a body regardless of the movement of the body, for example, housework, walking, and sleeping in any desired position. The applicator includes an adjustable ribbon girdle with a pocket therein.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,882,873

Arango 1 May 13, 1975 [54] HEAT AND COLD APPLICATOR FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 lnventori Olga Mango, Miami, 821,150 8/1937 France 128/379 [22] Filed: July 24, 1972 Primary ExaminerLawrence W. Trapp 1 1 pp N05 2741267 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Malin & Haley [52] US. Cl 128/379; 128/402 57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl A6lm 5/00 [58] Field of Search 128/402, 403, 258, 379, {A heat and Cold P for SUPPOTmg 9 Supply mg heat, or removmg heat from certam portions of the 128/821, 574. 384, 385

trunk of a body regardless of the movement of the [56] References Cited body, for example housework, valking and sleeping in any deslred positlon. The applicator includes an ad- UNITED STATES PATENTS justable ribbon girdle with a pocket therein. 1,238,901 9/1917 Ferguson 128/258 X 1,970,081 8/1934 Eisendrath 128/402 x 4 flaw/1S. 4 Drawing Figures HEAT AND cou) APPLICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, various forms of heating pads and ice packs have been connected to a human body. The various heating pad and ice pack type devices have been connected by single straps around the waist of the body. Such devices move and relocate their position upon movement of the body. Other jacket type devices have been used to position heat and cold applicators adjacent the upper trunk portion and shoulder por ions of the body. Such jacket applicators do not provide body support in the area covered by the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A heat and cold applicator in the form of an adjustable ribbon girdle having a pocket therein for receiving a rechargable waterbag. The waterbag receives hot water or ice through a refillable opening therein. The waterbag may be of a vinyl material for completely retaining the water within the bag. The girdle includes an elastic body that may be stretched around the trunk portion of a body. The distal ends of the girdle trunk are adjustable and secured to one another by clips. The upper and lower circumferential edges of the girdle may be lined with elastic bands. The girdle may also include a plurality of narrow vertically disposed pockets for receiving stays or ribs. Along one portion of the girdle is a pocket having a zipper attached to the upper entrance of the pocket. The pocket is lined to receive and hold the water bag in one particular position in relation to the girdle. Resilient material incorporated in the girdle allows the girdle to be positioned at a particular position in relation to the body and to hold said position during movement of the body. The waterbag is thereby held in a preset position in relation to the body.

In accordance with the objects of the device and other objects which will be apparent hereafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the heat and cold applicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the heat and cold applicator.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat and cold applicator taken along lines AA in FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a rear-view of the heat and cold applicator in a flattened position.

FIG. 4 is a front view of one embodiment of waterbag.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, showing the heat and cold applicator as numeral 2, including an elastic body portion 4, a lower elastic band 6, an upper elastic band 8, a plurality of vertically disposed pockets 10, 10, 10" and 10" for receiving plastic or metal stays therein, three rows of eyes, two of which are shown at 12 and 14 and a single row of hooks 16 for attaching the girdle about the waist of the user, and a pocket 18 having an upper zipper 20 for securing a waterbag within pocket 18.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the girdle 2 taken along lines A-A and looking in the direction of the arrows showing the pocket 18 with the zipper opening 22 in an open position for receiving waterbag 24. The waterbag 24 is made out of the vinyl material that is waterproof. The inside of the pocket, as well as the outside of the garment may be lined with various acceptable materials to waterproof the pocket.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the rear of the garment is shown. The side portions are shown as 26 and 28 with the intermediate portion 26 therebetween.

Referring to FIG, 4, the waterbag 30 has a removable cap 32. The cap provides an entrance into the waterbag. The large cap allows hot water or the ice to be placed in the waterbag. A tube 34 is connected to the waterbag adjacent the top 32. The tube allows air to be exhausted out of the waterbag after the cap is placed on the waterbag. A clip, (not shown), may be connected to the distal end of thetube to seal the tube in a closed position.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however. that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

I. A body support garment for altering temperature of portions of a human torso comprising:

a band of fabric having a length and width sized to encircle a human torso, said band having an elastic portion for supporting the abdominal area of the torso;

a connecting means coupled to the distal ends of said band for securing said band about the human torso, said band having an elastic pocket disposed over the elastic portion; and

a flexible, water retaining bag removeably disposed in said pocket.

2. A garment, as in claim 1, wherein:

said pocket includes a zipper-closure means.

3. A garment, as in claim 2, wherein:

said water bag includes a removeable top and an air vent.

4. A garment, as in claim 3, including:

a plurality of stays parallely disposed about said band and connected thereto for providing additional support for a human torso. 

1. A body support garment for altering temperature of portions of a human torso comprising: a band of fabric having a length and width sized to encircle a human torso, said band having an elastic portion for supporting the abdominal area of the torso; a connecting means coupled to the distal ends of said band for securing said band about the human torso, said band having an elastic pocket disposed over the elastic portion; and a flexible, water retaining bag removeably disposed in said pocket.
 2. A garment, as in claim 1, wherein: said pocket includes a zipper-closure means.
 3. A garment, as in claim 2, wherein: said water bag includes a removeable top and an air vent.
 4. A garment, as in claim 3, including: a plurality of stays parallely disposed about said band and connected thereto for providing additional support for a human torso. 